Fuel tank venting

[Dan102061]

We have an aluminum 17' Tracker with a 40hp outboard. The original plastic fuel tank was damaged so we removed it (it sits under the plywood deck and is accessed by a plywood hatch. Rather than mount a new tank, we decided to go with a portable 6 gallon tank and quick connects. My question is this: Are we creating an unsafe condition by having the portable tank under the plywood deck?

Thanks!

 

[JimS123]

Better take a boating safety course. That's illegal. The compartment must now be vented.

 

[Dan102061]

Better take a boating safety course. That's illegal. The compartment must now be vented.

The compartment is vented. There is a +/- 4" diameter fitting and flexible tube.

 

[Texasmark]

Better take a boating safety course. That's illegal. The compartment must now be vented.

Probably a hull length minimum requirement on that which sticks in my memory from years ago. As I recall the requirement is for a permanently installed tank also. I had a 17+ ft, '89 Ranger Fisherman with a 10 gallon tank under the splash well with a vinyl curtain in front aka flexible deck in front....the curtain, fixed on other 3 sides, OEM from Ranger...........Maybe an offshore requirement, not inland, forget the specific names for the distinction.....been 30 years.

My current boat design was built by an Arkansas company for many years, BIA certified. It is of Bassboat design, 17+ feet. It has an OEM installed 20 gallon tank under the rear deck with a closed hatch and the only vent is to the tank itself, no bilge venting.
Mark

 

[airshot]

Many of the "hatch" doors were pieces of screening or had cutouts of a nautical design to allow air to circulate thru the compartment. Along with your single vent tube you should have another vent source creating an intake/exhaust venting system, then you should be good to go. Be sure the tank is somehow contained so it cannot bounce around or shift position.

 

[JimS123]

A "permanent" tank under the deck is vented through the tank itself, and requires no further venting. A "portable" tank located in any "compartment" requires that the compartment be vented. Venting requires an inlet vent (facing forward) discharging into the top of the compartment, with an outlet vent (facing aft) connnected to a hose eminating from the bottom of the compartment.

If your equipment is so fashioned, you're good to go. If not, you have some mods to do.